TLN Top 20 Leafs Prospects Midterm Rankings: The Final List

For those who say there aren’t any top six potential forwards in the Leafs system, they have been ignoring the University of Minnesota Duluth. – Jon Steitzer

#19 – TONY CAMERANESI – DOWN 2

CENTRE, MINNESOTA-DULUTH (NCAA)

Cameranesi leads the Bulldogs in shots on goal with 63. He’s averaging 3.15 shots per game, while his shooting percentage sits at 4.7%. Hopefully with a little more puck luck, Cameranesi can once again find his scoring touch. – Justin Fisher

#18 – FABRICE HERZOG – NOT RANKED

RIGHT WING, QUEBEC (QMJHL)

A strong showing so far this year has him with 23 goals and and 37 points in 39 games in Quebec, and he’s seeing his role with the team grow as the season progresses. – Ryan Fancey

#17 – DAVID BROLL – UP 3

LEFT WING, TORONTO (AHL)

Broll isn’t just some goon. Oh, his fists don’t tickle, but he is a good hockey player. He played well in the preseason. He played well in a five game call-up to the NHL. He even got an assist for his first career NHL point. – Steve Dangle

#16 – ANDREW MACWILLIAM – UP 3

DEFENCE, TORONTO (AHL)

MacWilliam still leaves a lot to be desired offensively, with just three assists in 28 games, but has adjusted to the AHL fairly well from a defensive standpoint… I could see him being a strong third pairing player in the NHL within a couple of years. – Jeffler

#15 – GARRET SPARKS – DOWN 2

GOALTENDER, TORONTO (AHL)

Goaltenders are difficult to judge so I’ll keep this brief, but Sparks is the most advanced Leafs goalie prospect in the system and has excellent social media game, which makes him Top 15 candidate. – Cam Charron

#14 – ANDREAS JOHNSON – NOT RANKED

LEFT WING, FROLUNDA (SHL)

Johnson has impressed at the international level, scoring three goals and three assists in seven games for Team Sweden at this month’s IIHF World Junior Championships, a tournament in which Johnson was voted one of Sweden’s Best Players selected by tournament coaches. – Justin Fisher

#13 – PETTER GRANBERG – DOWN 5

DEFENCE, TORONTO (AHL)

There was a lot of questioning as to whether Granberg could adjust to the smaller North American ice. So far, he seems to be doing just fine, proving to be one of the go-to defensive defencemen for the Marlies this year. – Jeffler

#12 – TYLER BIGGS – DOWN 3

RIGHT WING, TORONTO (AHL)

It’s important to separate players from their draft position, or who they were traded for, but it’s difficult to be optimistic about Biggs considering how poor his boxcar numbers have been since being made the 22nd overall selection in 2011. As such, he’s fallen out of our top ten. – Cam Charron

#11 – CARTER VERHAEGHE – NOT RANKED

CENTRE, NIAGARA (OHL)

There was originally some concern about Verhaeghe’s stride and, as a result, his offensive upside, but he’s really grown with greater opportunity in Niagara, scoring 59 points in 42 games so far. – Blake Murphy

#10 – GREG MCKEGG – UP 2

CENTRE, TORONTO (AHL)

With few options at [the centre] position it is likely we could see McKegg getting spot duty in the NHL next year. If McKegg is going to take the next step it would probably be better to shift him back to the wing. – Jon Steitzer

#9 – CONNOR BROWN – UP 9

RIGHT WING, ERIE (OHL)

Brown is on pace for an insane 139 points over a 68 game season – a number that hasn’t been topped [in the OHL] since Patrick Kane scored 145 points in 2006-2007 (albeit in 10 less games, and as an 18 year old). – Justin Fisher

#8 – FREDERIK GAUTHIER – DOWN 5

CENTRE, RIMOUSKI (QMJHL)

His production in junior has dipped, which is very concerning, especially for a first-rounder in the QMJHL. Compound that with his so-so performance at the World Juniors, Gauthier tied for the biggest drop on this list, going down five spots. – Steve Dangle

#7 – JERRY D’AMIGO – UP 3

RIGHT WING, TORONTO (AHL)

Jerry D’Amigo’s three-spot jump in our rankings is almost surely because of how likeable and handsome he was on 24/7. That, or we all just enjoyed a taste of what an actual fourth line would look like during the American’s 19-game stint this season. – Blake Murphy

#6 – CARTER ASHTON – UP 5

RIGHT WING, TORONTO (NHL)

His production has lacked with the Leafs, but much of that is due to taking on a different role, mostly getting fourth line, defensive and aggressive minutes. A teammate’s injury may be his best bet to show the offensive abilities that have returned from his WHL days. – Jeffler

#5 – JOSH LEIVO – UP 2

LEFT WING, TORONTO (AHL)

Leivo has used a solid showing in his first season as a pro with the Marlies to climb two spots and into the top five of our prospect rankings. He’s also had a few looks with the Leafs this season, so the fanbase is starting to find out what this guy’s about – size and skill. – Ryan Fancey

#4 – STUART PERCY – NO CHANGE

DEFENCE, TORONTO (AHL)

Percy has shown excellent positional awareness and a boatload of confidence, allowing defensive partner TJ Brennan to take more risks and be the league’s most dominant offensive defenceman. He’s also receiving time on the secondary penalty kill and powerplay units. – Jeffler

#3 – MATT FINN – UP 2

DEFENCE, GUELPH (OHL)

In 44 games so far, Finn has scored 10 goals and 27 assists – his 38 points ranks third amongst OHL defencemen, and his +37 rating leads the entire league. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you’re not being hampered by an injured knee or mononucleosis. – Justin Fisher

#2 – PETER HOLLAND – NOT RANKED

CENTRE, TORONTO (NHL)

When put in an actual offensive situation, Holland is a legitimate NHL scoring threat. The biggest factors for Holland now are big issues for other prospects his age: Consistency and the numbers game. – Steve Dangle

#1 – MORGAN RIELLY – NO CHANGE

DEFENCE, TORONTO (NHL)

Still a prospect by our standards, and the crown jewel of the Leafs’ system. No longer just a toolsy blue chip with a lot of junior success to speak of, Morgan Rielly has legitimately been one of Toronto’s better defenders this season. – Cam Charron